Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks ready for big season

Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville talks to his team during the second period of the Blackhawks' final preseason game. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)

One makes his living putting pucks in the net while the other earns his paycheck keeping them out.

Both are veterans also fairly adept at doing what the other does when it comes to scoring or preventing goals.

Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith are poised for fast starts and big seasons for the Blackhawks. If the Hawks are going to become the first team to win consecutive Stanley Cups since the 1997-98 Red Wings, they will need the strong two-way players to be at their best.

The alternate captains and key members of the core are among the fittest of the Hawks, with Sharp finishing at the top of the team's fitness testing and Keith famously among the best-conditioned players in the NHL. Strong play during exhibition games also has served noticed that Sharp, a winger, and Keith, a defenseman, are entering the season in stride.

"I feel strong, I feel like I'm in good shape and motivated to have a good season," said Sharp, who had six goals and 14 assists while being limited to 28 games in the regular season with a shoulder injury last season and followed with 10 goals and six assists in 23 postseason contests. "I feel like I've continued to improve every season I've played in the league. I don't set personal goals as far as numbers to hit, but every year I try to set personal bests."

That Sharp came to training camp in the best shape of his career at 31 is an indicator that he is motivated to not only make a run at a third Cup in his career, but also to secure a spot on the Canadian Olympic team.

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"Hopefully it translates to some big things," Sharp said of being named the most fit Blackhawk. "It's just being a professional (and) taking care of yourself. I'm a little bit older but I feel like l have a lot of hockey left in me. I'm still getting better."

A Norris Trophy winner in 2010 as the league's top defenseman, Keith believes he also can reach another level.

"Just because you win one Norris, there's always somebody that's better than you and done more," Keith said. "I know I have a lot more to improve. I'm only 30 and I've learned a lot so far, but I know there's a lot more I can get better at and keep going."

Keith had a strong 2013 regular season with three goals and 24 assists in 47 games, and he elevated his game during the Hawks' run to the Cup -- in particular the finals against the Bruins -- to the point where coach Joel Quenneville said "the last couple of games against Boston in that series he was dominating, he controlled the game."

During the exhibition season, Keith has appeared as focused as he has been in his eight seasons with the Hawks. That could translate into a career season.

"You can never be too good," Keith said of his motivation. "Whether it's having a good stick, having a good gap, those are things that take focus and some experience. Those fundamentals of playing good defense and helping out on offense are always a work in progress. I want to be my best every year."

Roster talk: The Hawks reportedly placed defenseman Ryan Stanton on waivers Sunday, and once he is claimed by another team or cleared and sent to Rockford, the roster for the season will be set. Late Saturday, the Hawks assigned forwards Brandon Pirri and Jeremy Morin and goaltender Antti Raanta to Rockford.

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